We had a great ride and I felt so confident riding him. Even his crazy flying lead changes don't scare me (as much) anymore. I do totally love this horse!
Monday, May 14, 2018
Rusty Stirrups Equitation over Fences May 12, 2018
Silver and I finally made it to the show ring this year after bad weather, show cancellations, hoof abscess, spring break, my pneumonia, etc...
We had a great ride and I felt so confident riding him. Even his crazy flying lead changes don't scare me (as much) anymore. I do totally love this horse!
We had a great ride and I felt so confident riding him. Even his crazy flying lead changes don't scare me (as much) anymore. I do totally love this horse!
In the Zone
My riding takes a back seat to everything else. Which is normal for moms, I think. Family comes first. Riding is my therapy.
I had to take time off in February because it rained...a lot...and the barn where I board doesn't have an indoor arena. It does have a beautiful outdoor arena but I don't ride in the rain if I can help it. Then came March with spring break. We went on a wonderful Disney cruise around the Caribbean. The day we get back in town, my sister in law comes to stay with us for two weeks.
So I finally get out to the barn and my horse has gone lame. Poor guy had an abscess in his hoof...from all that rain...I had planned to ride in a horse show the weekend he went lame, so quick find a horse for Charlotte. I tried out the new schooling horse, Tilly but I was unsure that we were a good fit. She has a lovely collected canter but her jump was different from Silver. I wasn't getting it. The next horse was Elijah. My husband really likes riding this horse. He can sit is canter. And I'll be danged if I can't sit that less than smooth, uncollected canter. But after a couple of weeks of riding him, I was starting to have problems over fences with him. So I got to ride Gypsy. I have been a little skeptical of Gypsy because the first time I rode her, she ran off with me. I have fallen for this mare. She is wonderful and got me to enjoy jumping again. Really enjoy jumping.
After my 6 week hiatus from riding, I was a bit intimidated about riding a full course. Even though I had been jumping at 2 feet in the fall. I could ride one maybe two jumps at a time with some trepidation. I was blessed to be in a group lesson with two more experienced riders. My trainer set up a grid. It scared me but I enjoyed watching Amy and Michaela jump the grid. Kelsey offered the grid or a line of two jumps. I decided to feel my fear and do it anyway. I was assured that all I had to do was set Gypsy up and she would easily do the rest. And she did! I just stayed balanced and she jumped them all. So I did it again that lesson.
And I did it again another lesson, another grid...I figured I could jump 5 jumps at one time, or 5 jumps in a course, just get it over with. And the more I jumped the grid, the better I got and the more I relaxed. And then suddenly I could do courses without freaking out.
And then Silver got better and we started having fun. True he kicked his heels up after some grid work and he crop hopped after a jump but he was happy with himself! And I stayed on! And I was happy with myself. And we did some flying lead changes, he hops a bit and I feel like he's bucking but I'm starting to get used to it. Now that I know he's not trying to buck me off, I'm good with it and I tell him I'm happy about it, instead of slowing him down we keep going forward.
I had to take time off in February because it rained...a lot...and the barn where I board doesn't have an indoor arena. It does have a beautiful outdoor arena but I don't ride in the rain if I can help it. Then came March with spring break. We went on a wonderful Disney cruise around the Caribbean. The day we get back in town, my sister in law comes to stay with us for two weeks.
So I finally get out to the barn and my horse has gone lame. Poor guy had an abscess in his hoof...from all that rain...I had planned to ride in a horse show the weekend he went lame, so quick find a horse for Charlotte. I tried out the new schooling horse, Tilly but I was unsure that we were a good fit. She has a lovely collected canter but her jump was different from Silver. I wasn't getting it. The next horse was Elijah. My husband really likes riding this horse. He can sit is canter. And I'll be danged if I can't sit that less than smooth, uncollected canter. But after a couple of weeks of riding him, I was starting to have problems over fences with him. So I got to ride Gypsy. I have been a little skeptical of Gypsy because the first time I rode her, she ran off with me. I have fallen for this mare. She is wonderful and got me to enjoy jumping again. Really enjoy jumping.
After my 6 week hiatus from riding, I was a bit intimidated about riding a full course. Even though I had been jumping at 2 feet in the fall. I could ride one maybe two jumps at a time with some trepidation. I was blessed to be in a group lesson with two more experienced riders. My trainer set up a grid. It scared me but I enjoyed watching Amy and Michaela jump the grid. Kelsey offered the grid or a line of two jumps. I decided to feel my fear and do it anyway. I was assured that all I had to do was set Gypsy up and she would easily do the rest. And she did! I just stayed balanced and she jumped them all. So I did it again that lesson.
And I did it again another lesson, another grid...I figured I could jump 5 jumps at one time, or 5 jumps in a course, just get it over with. And the more I jumped the grid, the better I got and the more I relaxed. And then suddenly I could do courses without freaking out.
Unmet Mother's Day Expectations
Last week I was filled with energy and new found confidence over jumps. I had found my zen. my happy place.
Today I am unhappy and I should be filled with joy! I won my rusty stirrups division this weekend, 2 Blues in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences and a second place in Equitation over Fences. I was cool and collected and absolutely not panicked at the show. I even rode my horse in the warm up, no one got on him before I did. I just got on and rode him, jumped a few fences and enjoyed myself.
But the day after mother's day, I'm sitting here furious, mad, sad and lonely...why you ask. Not because my horse mistook my foot for shavings and crushed it. Not because I spent part of mother's day in the ER checking out my foot and then laying in bed resting it.
I'm mad because my husband didn't take the time to get me a friggin' mother's day card. He didn't lift a finger for mother's day. Yes, he fed the kids when I went to the ER and he fed them dinner but he left all the dishes in the sink, didn't unload the dishwasher...thanks so kind of you to leave that for me to do that the next day. I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner although I was really tired from the painkillers, I couldn't sleep because I was too hungry.
He didn't have any lunch, brunch or dinner plans for the family. He didn't help the kids get mommy a mother's day gift. No flowers, nothing, nada, zip, zilch. In the past, we have gone out for Mother's Day Brunch. And he would get me flowers. The kids usually make me something at school to give me. Nathaniel had brought me a bag from school - we've lost it. But Natty is in on my good side. Emma quickly made me something in Sunday School.
And I shouldn't be so upset except he forgot me on Valentine's Day, too. Nothing from the kids and nothing from him. Granted Valentine's Day fell on Ash Wednesday, I get that a secular holiday gets trumped by Ash Wednesday but really nothing? I got him some cute red/white striped pants. I originally bought him a new suit but took it back because it was over the top. He has yet to wear those pants, so I will take them back. Nordstrom's is good about returning things.
We talked about him not doing anything for me on Valentine's several days afterwards. I told him it really upset me. He said he didn't think I was that into it because I had forgotten a wedding anniversary. He HAD forgotten the wedding anniversary! He didn't make any plans that night and he didn't ask me to get a babysitter for that night. I try not to have hurt feelings.
I ended up buying some pretty 14k gold earrings to make up for Valentine's Day. When we went on our spring break cruise, I bought a fantastic 14k gold Tinkerbell pendant. But I paid for it. I don't need his permission to spend my money!
My step son came into town for the Scottish Highland Games this past weekend and my husband went to the Games when we already had plans in place for the Spring Fling Horse show. I was determined to get to that horse show. I had already missed a few because my horse was lame or the show was rained out. The plan was for my husband to spend the day with our kids while mommy went to the horse show. It was a perfect horse show because the hunter divisions were on Saturday instead of Sunday. My division was in the morning. The kids didn't want to go and I understand if they aren't participating why would they be interested. Frankly, I didn't want to have to keep up with them, so he was going to stay with them. So I ended up having to find a babysitter to watch them so he could enjoy himself with his older son, normally I don't mind. it's just that we already had plans. And it was mother's day weekend. So he did nothing for me. Nothing. He got to do what he wanted. Why should I expect my children to be any different?
I'm thankful for my trainer, Kelsey and her assistant, Michelle for being my cheerleaders. I'm also very thankful for Michaela, who rides Silver and has shown him in upper divisions for being my cheerleader. She is wonderful! Her boyfriend is kind to me. His son likes to ride Silver and has shown him, too. It's nice to have a little group of people to cheer me on because my family doesn't. Most people think my husband is watching the kids when I go to shows but I actually have a babysitter. I hire someone to watch them during church because he is too busy with choir. I think I just depressed myself further. It hurts my feelings. It really does.
Today I am unhappy and I should be filled with joy! I won my rusty stirrups division this weekend, 2 Blues in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences and a second place in Equitation over Fences. I was cool and collected and absolutely not panicked at the show. I even rode my horse in the warm up, no one got on him before I did. I just got on and rode him, jumped a few fences and enjoyed myself.
But the day after mother's day, I'm sitting here furious, mad, sad and lonely...why you ask. Not because my horse mistook my foot for shavings and crushed it. Not because I spent part of mother's day in the ER checking out my foot and then laying in bed resting it.
I'm mad because my husband didn't take the time to get me a friggin' mother's day card. He didn't lift a finger for mother's day. Yes, he fed the kids when I went to the ER and he fed them dinner but he left all the dishes in the sink, didn't unload the dishwasher...thanks so kind of you to leave that for me to do that the next day. I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner although I was really tired from the painkillers, I couldn't sleep because I was too hungry.
He didn't have any lunch, brunch or dinner plans for the family. He didn't help the kids get mommy a mother's day gift. No flowers, nothing, nada, zip, zilch. In the past, we have gone out for Mother's Day Brunch. And he would get me flowers. The kids usually make me something at school to give me. Nathaniel had brought me a bag from school - we've lost it. But Natty is in on my good side. Emma quickly made me something in Sunday School.
And I shouldn't be so upset except he forgot me on Valentine's Day, too. Nothing from the kids and nothing from him. Granted Valentine's Day fell on Ash Wednesday, I get that a secular holiday gets trumped by Ash Wednesday but really nothing? I got him some cute red/white striped pants. I originally bought him a new suit but took it back because it was over the top. He has yet to wear those pants, so I will take them back. Nordstrom's is good about returning things.
We talked about him not doing anything for me on Valentine's several days afterwards. I told him it really upset me. He said he didn't think I was that into it because I had forgotten a wedding anniversary. He HAD forgotten the wedding anniversary! He didn't make any plans that night and he didn't ask me to get a babysitter for that night. I try not to have hurt feelings.
I ended up buying some pretty 14k gold earrings to make up for Valentine's Day. When we went on our spring break cruise, I bought a fantastic 14k gold Tinkerbell pendant. But I paid for it. I don't need his permission to spend my money!
My step son came into town for the Scottish Highland Games this past weekend and my husband went to the Games when we already had plans in place for the Spring Fling Horse show. I was determined to get to that horse show. I had already missed a few because my horse was lame or the show was rained out. The plan was for my husband to spend the day with our kids while mommy went to the horse show. It was a perfect horse show because the hunter divisions were on Saturday instead of Sunday. My division was in the morning. The kids didn't want to go and I understand if they aren't participating why would they be interested. Frankly, I didn't want to have to keep up with them, so he was going to stay with them. So I ended up having to find a babysitter to watch them so he could enjoy himself with his older son, normally I don't mind. it's just that we already had plans. And it was mother's day weekend. So he did nothing for me. Nothing. He got to do what he wanted. Why should I expect my children to be any different?
I'm thankful for my trainer, Kelsey and her assistant, Michelle for being my cheerleaders. I'm also very thankful for Michaela, who rides Silver and has shown him in upper divisions for being my cheerleader. She is wonderful! Her boyfriend is kind to me. His son likes to ride Silver and has shown him, too. It's nice to have a little group of people to cheer me on because my family doesn't. Most people think my husband is watching the kids when I go to shows but I actually have a babysitter. I hire someone to watch them during church because he is too busy with choir. I think I just depressed myself further. It hurts my feelings. It really does.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Riding on the Lunge line
December riding Lessons were spent on a lunge line. I was quite apprehensive at first, even though the time I had spent with Kai Handt 25 years ago was on a lunge line.
Once I got used to not having reins to depend on for balance, she started me holding my hands on my hips, I progressed to hands on my helmet, which was annoying because the headband I was wearing to keep my ears warm in the 35 degree weather would slip into my eyes. But that's another story.
As I progressed each week, the lunge lessons grew harder, not only was I holding my arms straight in front of me (zombie arms), roller coaster arms (straight up), out to the side but I was twisting to the outside and the inside with each of those positions at the trot.
A couple of days before Christmas, she had me ride with my arms above my head at the canter and twisting inside/outside, it was the most incredible feeling. I think she thought I was petrified, but I felt like I was flying. At first, I was nervous, but I realized Silver was not going anywhere but in a circle. I wasn't going to come off. So why was I worried? Head up, eyes off the sand, looking ahead, stay balanced, canter, hold you arms up and twist to the right, now to the left. This has seriously been the best abdominal work out ever! I was sore for a couple of days which has really made me more aware of my lack of abdominal strength, so I'm constantly engaging my abs instead of letting it all hang out. It's been almost 7 years since I had the twins and I'm ready to get serious with my lack of core strength.
So two days after Christmas, Kelsey has me back on the lunge line with the EquiCube - a 5 pound rubber block with handles. So zombie arms holding the Equicube in front of me at the canter - I wanted to throw it at my trainer - I'm so weak. Then she had me hold it over my head at the canter. I wondered if my helmet could handle the weight as it crashed on top of my head from my weak arms. I don't know the answer to that because I mustered all my strength to keep it above my head, it was akin to a military press. 7 hours later I can really feel it in the top of my shoulders.
And much to my surprise, I got to ride Silver with my reins! And over a course of a month, riding on the lunge line has developed my core and given me increased stability. He stumbled and I remained balanced. He started off at a slow canter and increased his speed and not only did I stay on, I remained balanced in the saddle and was able to transition to a beautiful stop while remaining balanced. I was balanced, he was balanced.
I came away with a new realization today. I know that my feet pronate and this is a problem when I ride as my heels are in contact with the horse instead of my calves. But this month has really emphasized my foot/calf/leg position. Today I realized when I really turn my toes in towards the horse, my whole leg has to work, I can really feel my thighs working to stay balanced. A long time ago, a respected horsewoman had said riders shouldn't use their thighs to hold on to the horse especially when bareback. How the heck am I going to stay on then? I think she meant to say, the whole leg is supposed to be connected to the horse, not just the thigh. She was talking about the "ride a buck" bareback class. It's easy to keep the buck under your thigh when walking and in the sitting trot, but not as much posting or cantering. But I digress..
I told my trainer I hoped we could continue the lunge lessons in the future because I can really feel my core working. It also helps me get over whatever fears I might be harboring about my beautiful grey gelding. That fall in July really set me back - no pun intended - in my riding.
Once I got used to not having reins to depend on for balance, she started me holding my hands on my hips, I progressed to hands on my helmet, which was annoying because the headband I was wearing to keep my ears warm in the 35 degree weather would slip into my eyes. But that's another story.
As I progressed each week, the lunge lessons grew harder, not only was I holding my arms straight in front of me (zombie arms), roller coaster arms (straight up), out to the side but I was twisting to the outside and the inside with each of those positions at the trot.
A couple of days before Christmas, she had me ride with my arms above my head at the canter and twisting inside/outside, it was the most incredible feeling. I think she thought I was petrified, but I felt like I was flying. At first, I was nervous, but I realized Silver was not going anywhere but in a circle. I wasn't going to come off. So why was I worried? Head up, eyes off the sand, looking ahead, stay balanced, canter, hold you arms up and twist to the right, now to the left. This has seriously been the best abdominal work out ever! I was sore for a couple of days which has really made me more aware of my lack of abdominal strength, so I'm constantly engaging my abs instead of letting it all hang out. It's been almost 7 years since I had the twins and I'm ready to get serious with my lack of core strength.
So two days after Christmas, Kelsey has me back on the lunge line with the EquiCube - a 5 pound rubber block with handles. So zombie arms holding the Equicube in front of me at the canter - I wanted to throw it at my trainer - I'm so weak. Then she had me hold it over my head at the canter. I wondered if my helmet could handle the weight as it crashed on top of my head from my weak arms. I don't know the answer to that because I mustered all my strength to keep it above my head, it was akin to a military press. 7 hours later I can really feel it in the top of my shoulders.
And much to my surprise, I got to ride Silver with my reins! And over a course of a month, riding on the lunge line has developed my core and given me increased stability. He stumbled and I remained balanced. He started off at a slow canter and increased his speed and not only did I stay on, I remained balanced in the saddle and was able to transition to a beautiful stop while remaining balanced. I was balanced, he was balanced.
I came away with a new realization today. I know that my feet pronate and this is a problem when I ride as my heels are in contact with the horse instead of my calves. But this month has really emphasized my foot/calf/leg position. Today I realized when I really turn my toes in towards the horse, my whole leg has to work, I can really feel my thighs working to stay balanced. A long time ago, a respected horsewoman had said riders shouldn't use their thighs to hold on to the horse especially when bareback. How the heck am I going to stay on then? I think she meant to say, the whole leg is supposed to be connected to the horse, not just the thigh. She was talking about the "ride a buck" bareback class. It's easy to keep the buck under your thigh when walking and in the sitting trot, but not as much posting or cantering. But I digress..
I told my trainer I hoped we could continue the lunge lessons in the future because I can really feel my core working. It also helps me get over whatever fears I might be harboring about my beautiful grey gelding. That fall in July really set me back - no pun intended - in my riding.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The Three Second Half Halt
Nothing like taking a riding lesson from your trainer while her dressage instructor hangs out at the barn. My trainer is taking dressage lessons from a notable dressage instructor, who only works with professionals. So I'm trying to ride like he is not sitting near the arena, soaking in the sunshine, watching me...he was probably watching her teach.
So I learned a new concept today. Previously, Kelsey showed me how to use my hands in a zig zagging motion, not sawing on the reins, so that the horse's head goes side to side and back and forth -- which looks atrocious and probably feels the same -- I gently squeeze the reins with my hands. Right hand, squeeze, left hand squeeze half halts to remind him, I'm up here and hey, are you listening...don't look at the woods at the end of the arena...listen to me, no, don't speed up...
Today, we took it a little more extreme, still not see sawing his mouth, so that his head swings from side to side but that he listens to me and drops his head and engages his behind. Really listening to me. I heard her ask if I could feel anything in the reins. Why yes, and I'm gently squeezing one hand and then the other - I think I'm doing great. But she says she can't see my arms move. Why would my arms move? I'm just using my hands.
Then she says, to squeeze and pull back on the rein for three seconds, release that hand and repeat on the other side. Well, that made a big difference in our riding! He really collected himself, especially when I applied my calves to his side while doing the 3 second half halt. Total control. He was not going anywhere I didn't want him.
Then we did some canter work and it was fabulous! He really has a lovely canter. I felt like I was out cantering across a pasture at my family's farm. It was that much fun!
We are using yet another bit, the Kimberwick Uster Snaffle bit gives me a lot of leverage and control without head tossing like the Dressage-Pelham-Bits/FES-Snaffle-Elite-Pelham/ used with double reins. The transition from canter to trot to walk was smooth and almost seamless. Wow! This is how it's supposed to happen!
.
So I learned a new concept today. Previously, Kelsey showed me how to use my hands in a zig zagging motion, not sawing on the reins, so that the horse's head goes side to side and back and forth -- which looks atrocious and probably feels the same -- I gently squeeze the reins with my hands. Right hand, squeeze, left hand squeeze half halts to remind him, I'm up here and hey, are you listening...don't look at the woods at the end of the arena...listen to me, no, don't speed up...
Today, we took it a little more extreme, still not see sawing his mouth, so that his head swings from side to side but that he listens to me and drops his head and engages his behind. Really listening to me. I heard her ask if I could feel anything in the reins. Why yes, and I'm gently squeezing one hand and then the other - I think I'm doing great. But she says she can't see my arms move. Why would my arms move? I'm just using my hands.
Then she says, to squeeze and pull back on the rein for three seconds, release that hand and repeat on the other side. Well, that made a big difference in our riding! He really collected himself, especially when I applied my calves to his side while doing the 3 second half halt. Total control. He was not going anywhere I didn't want him.
Then we did some canter work and it was fabulous! He really has a lovely canter. I felt like I was out cantering across a pasture at my family's farm. It was that much fun!
We are using yet another bit, the Kimberwick Uster Snaffle bit gives me a lot of leverage and control without head tossing like the Dressage-Pelham-Bits/FES-Snaffle-Elite-Pelham/ used with double reins. The transition from canter to trot to walk was smooth and almost seamless. Wow! This is how it's supposed to happen!
.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
post schooling show
My first time back in my new saddle since the horse show I participated the day after my birthday. I placed twice. I think Nathaniel liked that I had actually gotten a green ribbon. He loves the color green. He immediately took my ribbons and hung them in my closet with my ribbons from the Hidden Lake show in October.
I got 5th place out of 6 even though my horse trotted instead of cantered to the left. My choice. I wasn't feeling it. The horse that placed 6th apparently, cantered/galloped around the ring at break neck speed. I did get my right lead canter and it was a nice, pleasant pace. And I didn't fall off - that was a big plus.
My last class, was my best ride of the day and I didn't place. I'm not too chapped about that. It was an open equitation class: I competed with western, hunt seat and saddle seat equitation riders. The riders who won all rode Arab/Half Arab horses. Guess who didn't win? The rider on the Thoroughbred.... Nevertheless, Silver gave me a great canter in each direction and he was truly fun to ride.
So my trainer told me, we were going to start cantering in lessons. I have cantered about 3 times since my accident in late July. Not out of fear, not at first, but for pain...in the back...can't feel my left leg...ouch.
so today, she had me ride in the round pen because I was using a new bit, a full-cheek-copper-dr-bristol and we needed to work on transitions before cantering. Also, the smaller ring would instill a bit of security for me at the canter....or so she thought.
For a horse who won at the track, he is not a fast mover, except in the show ring. So I'm in the warm up area at the NTC show and she is yelling more leg, more leg. And we get into the ring and it's Katie bar the door, whooshing around the ring, and she's yelling "sit back, sit back" because I have totally freaked out and I'm sitting too far forward. I thought I needed to sit in line with my stirrup bar. Once I actually sat back, I rode tremendously better and my horse was easier to ride. I no longer felt the need to revise the lyrics to Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I pull at the reins, you're driving me insane,
when will this class end...please slow down,
you get the picture...and only my horse and the show photographer can hear me...But I AM BREATHING...
if ever there was an example of what not to do, I did it. Certainly not balanced riding. Once I got my posture correct, everything else, just fell into place.
Back to today's lesson in the round pen. Pushing Silver at the trot to encourage forward momentum can be a very tiring thing. Usually, I ride with a crop to enhance my legs efforts. It's hard to imagine this creature actually won money at the races -19 starts, 11 placings-. So after trotting in endless circles, we started to canter. Except that I felt him slipping in one corner - do circles have corners?- and then after cantering a full rotation, I felt unbalanced. Was it the size of the round pen? Was it my slippery leather saddle? So, we moved to the large arena. Oh, yes, that's the place to canter! Silver felt great! He has a lovely canter. So in control, even when he was on his left, troublesome lead. He felt good. I was sliding all over the place, but he felt good. This is my happy place, a nice, collected canter with plenty of space to move.
Today's Concepts: we worked on zig zagging hands when stopping or performing a half halt while cantering and pushing forward with the legs. Pushing the horse onto the bit, keeping his back round, with his back legs under him which keeps him collected and balanced. The left lead left me a little unbalanced, I was slipping all over my saddle - he had lots of energy - but once I sat up and put my shoulders back, he became engaged, collected and I became centered and balanced. Beautiful!
I got 5th place out of 6 even though my horse trotted instead of cantered to the left. My choice. I wasn't feeling it. The horse that placed 6th apparently, cantered/galloped around the ring at break neck speed. I did get my right lead canter and it was a nice, pleasant pace. And I didn't fall off - that was a big plus.
My last class, was my best ride of the day and I didn't place. I'm not too chapped about that. It was an open equitation class: I competed with western, hunt seat and saddle seat equitation riders. The riders who won all rode Arab/Half Arab horses. Guess who didn't win? The rider on the Thoroughbred.... Nevertheless, Silver gave me a great canter in each direction and he was truly fun to ride.
So my trainer told me, we were going to start cantering in lessons. I have cantered about 3 times since my accident in late July. Not out of fear, not at first, but for pain...in the back...can't feel my left leg...ouch.
so today, she had me ride in the round pen because I was using a new bit, a full-cheek-copper-dr-bristol and we needed to work on transitions before cantering. Also, the smaller ring would instill a bit of security for me at the canter....or so she thought.
For a horse who won at the track, he is not a fast mover, except in the show ring. So I'm in the warm up area at the NTC show and she is yelling more leg, more leg. And we get into the ring and it's Katie bar the door, whooshing around the ring, and she's yelling "sit back, sit back" because I have totally freaked out and I'm sitting too far forward. I thought I needed to sit in line with my stirrup bar. Once I actually sat back, I rode tremendously better and my horse was easier to ride. I no longer felt the need to revise the lyrics to Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I pull at the reins, you're driving me insane,
when will this class end...please slow down,
you get the picture...and only my horse and the show photographer can hear me...But I AM BREATHING...
if ever there was an example of what not to do, I did it. Certainly not balanced riding. Once I got my posture correct, everything else, just fell into place.
Back to today's lesson in the round pen. Pushing Silver at the trot to encourage forward momentum can be a very tiring thing. Usually, I ride with a crop to enhance my legs efforts. It's hard to imagine this creature actually won money at the races -19 starts, 11 placings-. So after trotting in endless circles, we started to canter. Except that I felt him slipping in one corner - do circles have corners?- and then after cantering a full rotation, I felt unbalanced. Was it the size of the round pen? Was it my slippery leather saddle? So, we moved to the large arena. Oh, yes, that's the place to canter! Silver felt great! He has a lovely canter. So in control, even when he was on his left, troublesome lead. He felt good. I was sliding all over the place, but he felt good. This is my happy place, a nice, collected canter with plenty of space to move.
Today's Concepts: we worked on zig zagging hands when stopping or performing a half halt while cantering and pushing forward with the legs. Pushing the horse onto the bit, keeping his back round, with his back legs under him which keeps him collected and balanced. The left lead left me a little unbalanced, I was slipping all over my saddle - he had lots of energy - but once I sat up and put my shoulders back, he became engaged, collected and I became centered and balanced. Beautiful!
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